Mississippi s Nonprofit Management Certification Program

Mississippi s Nonprofit Management Certification Program

A History of Excellence in Action Excellence in Action (EIA) is based on the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Management Excellence and is the state s only core competencies certification program of its kind for all nonprofits in Mississippi. After two years of extensive research, MCN published its highly successful Principles and Practices in 2007. With the publication of this document, the goal of excellence became the focus of all nonprofit endeavors, and now MCN wants to bring that same level of excellence to your organization through its Excellence in Action Program. EIA is the go-to core competencies certification program that covers everything an organization needs to achieve excellence! So, what are the ten fundamental components that you can be certified in through EIA? Nonprofit Certification Program Components With EIA, you and your organization will be certified in the following key areas: Planning and Purpose Engage those you serve with your mission Fundraising Implement sound and successful fundraising practices Board Governance Provide board training that transforms leadership Public Policy & Advocacy Learn to be the voice for your clients Human Resources Identify best practices for staff and volunteers Information & Technology Maximize your technology needs and skills Financial Management Place strong financial systems in your organization Strategic Alliances Create proactive partnerships with others Transparency & Accountability Protect your organization with state and federal agencies Programmatic Effectiveness Develop outcomes that demonstrate your success EIA is designed for adult learners like you. Classes are accessible and convenient. EIA is based on multiple learning strategies including online courses, webinars and face-to-face community gatherings. The program focuses on practical applications with case studies, discussion-based classes, and networking with other nonprofit leaders. EIA courses are taught by some of the best and most experienced nonprofit leaders throughout the state

Raising the Standards of Nonprofit Excellence in Mississippi Funders Assisting in vetting your grantees Assuring that your grantees have more than the basic competence to run orgs Assisting grantees to use your resources effectively and efficiently Increasing nonprofit partnerships Reporting outcomes that matter to you, your grantees, and the community Established Nonprofits Assisting in gaining funders attention Assisting in demonstrating a higher level of nonprofit managerial competence Assisting in using your resources more effectively and efficiently Introducing you to others in the nonprofit sector to increase partnerships Reporting outcomes that matter to you, your grantors, and the community Assisting in aligning the Board on common goals and knowledge bases Assisting in developing new board and staff members Allowing your organization customized consulting for strategic planning, policy review, grant review, etc. Emerging Nonprofits Introducing you to the nonprofit sector Increasing knowledge of nonprofit management practices Assisting in demonstrating a higher level of nonprofit managerial competence Introducing you to funders Introducing you to others in the nonprofit sector to increase partnerships Assisting in aligning the Board on common goals and knowledge bases Assisting in developing new board and staff members Allowing your organization customized consulting for strategic planning, policy review, grant review, etc. Individuals & Volunteers Focusing your interests/compassion/passion Offering opportunities to meet and work with others who share your mission and spirit Introducing you to the nonprofit sector Increasing knowledge of nonprofit management practices

Introducing you to funders Preparing you to serve as a certified board member Offering fast track training that carries forward to all Board service and many alternate career tracks Demonstrating a personal commitment to excellence and a willingness to go beyond the standard management practices Benefits of Certification Improved operations for your organization Personal and professional development of your skills Increased understanding of nonprofit leadership across your organization from board members to executive director to other staff Connection with other nonprofit leaders that build partnerships Addition of a logo on your website and correspondence which tells your community you ve been certified The opportunity to include certification status in resumes, proposals, foundation requests and sponsorships Program Details Certification for organizations and/or individuals Organizational certification awarded after at least one board member, one board officer, and the executive director complete the program Program consists of workshops, online courses, webinars and a peer review. Course material delivered in a two-day intensive Boot Camp. Special value price of $295/individual, total cost of organizational certification (3) individuals of $885 Limited number of free consulting hours available for enrolled organizations Mississippi Center for Nonprofits 201 West Capitol Street, Suite 700 Jackson, MS 39201-2563 601.968.0061 601.352.8820 fax mcn@msnonprofits.org www.msnonprofits.org

Excellence in Action Curriculum Overview Legal Transparency Legal compliance can make or break a nonprofit organization. It is ever changing and frequently technically difficult to interpret and implement. Being transparent in your operation to funders and constituents is equally important. This session helps nonprofits navigate this maze and incorporate excellent procedures, policies, and practices. Organizational: Federal: Duties of Board of Directors Maintaining Tax Exempt Status Minutes, Committees, Expense Approval Various Forms 990 s Policies Unrelated Business Income Conflict of Interest Public Disclosure Requirements Document Retention Donor Contribution Acknowledgment Employee Protection State of MS: Annual Registration Audit Requirements Required Books and Records Review of Charities Laws Employees and Tax Issues for Nonprofits: Exempt vs. Non-exempt employees Employees vs. Independent Contractors Which Taxes Do We Pay? Lobbying and Advocacy The New Form 990 Do s and Don ts of Lobbying and Advocacy Registering with the Secretary of State Core Form Schedules A-O Strategic Alliances & Partnerships The adage about strength in numbers applies to the nonprofit sector, too. This session focuses on ways that groups can work together cutting costs, presenting better services, and reaching a broader audience. Much of this workshop is hands-on with the participants attending. Benefits and Challenges to Collaborations Alliance Structures and Mechanics Identifying Nonprofits Conditions for Types of Alliances Environmental Scans and Strategic Gaps

Programmatic Effectiveness How does a nonprofit know if it is being effective in delivering the services they designed and that funders are supporting? What do grants mean by outcomes measurement? Do you have to wait until too late to evaluate whether things are working? This workshop will assist in setting up a ruler to measure the work of the nonprofit, as well as tools to report the results and methods for modification when needed. What contributes to Success? Who will be involved in developing the process, and how? What are you measuring, and how? What are your mission, objectives, and clients? What specific indicators will measure the outcomes? How do you select data sources and data collection procedures for each indicator? How do you analyze the outcome information? What are the explanations for unusual or unexpected findings? How do these results help you improve services? Human Resources Even if a nonprofit is an all-volunteer organization, there are important legal and management responsibilities that all nonprofits must take into consideration. Federal, State, and Local Employment Laws At-Will, Contractors, Exempt Employees Compensation and Benefits Job Descriptions, Recruitment, Interviewing Background Checks, Drug Testing, Hiring Performance Evaluations Grievances and Terminations Orientation, Employee & Volunteer Manuals, Training Employee and Volunteer Policies, Procedures, and Code of Ethics Public Policy & Advocacy Public policy and advocacy by nonprofits helps give constituents a voice for community interests. Policy makers benefit from open communications which contributes to better informed policies. Advocacy can be critical to fulfilling the mission of a nonprofit. Definitions and Comparisons Nonprofits Do s and Don ts Permissible Election Activities Strategies for Public Policy Input IRS Rulings and Legislation Activities that are NOT lobbying Lobbyist Registration

Information & Technology Well planned and well- designed technology can make nonprofit more efficient and reach more people with less effort and less time if planned and used correctly. Benefits of Technology Written Technology Plan IT Policy & Procedures Manual IT Licenses and Laws Databases IT Planning In-House Committee Asset Management IT Equipment Disaster Recovery Plan Board Governance The strength of a nonprofit s Board of Directors is a key determinant of the organization s long term success. Yet lack of clarity of the Board s role and the rotation of Board member terms make this topic one of the most frequently requested presentations. Nonprofit Boards Board Member Fiduciary Responsibilities Sarbanes-Oxley Record Retention Considerations Models for Organizing Nonprofit Boards Board Size Board Committees Board Relationships with Staff, Volunteers, and the Public Nonprofit Board Responsibilities By-laws, Policies, and Procedures Whistleblower Protection Effective Board Members Board Recruitment Evaluating Board Strengths and Weaknesses Board Meetings Financial Management The most technically challenging aspect of nonprofit management, it is crucial that all Board and staff members have a grasp of the organization s financial practices, plans, and status This course helps interpret the language and disentangle the numbers. Annual Reports and Financial Statements Statement of Financial Position Statement of Activities Statement of Cash Flow Financial Analysis: Using Ratios with Nonprofit Financial Statements Financial Ratios and Benchmarking for Nonprofits Financial Statements and the Question of Size Things to Watch Out For Financial Indicators

Fundraising Nonprofit donations are an opportunity for individuals and institutions to contribute to a cause of their choosing. But with that gift comes an obligation for the nonprofit to ensure its proper handling. Getting Started: Necessary Paperwork / Forms Vision & Mission Legal Requirements Articles of Incorporation Board s Leadership in Fund Development Organizational Tools Relationship Building: Your Message / Case for Funding: Public Relations Marketing Donors: Individuals Businesses / Corporations Foundations Fund Development Overview: The Comprehensive Program Annual Giving Capital Campaign / Major Gifts Planned giving Pyramid of Giving Ethics in Fundraising Types of Approaches / Contacts: Written Spoken Word / Telephone Personal Visit Direct Mail Telemarketing Internet Fund Development Plan: What your organizations has to offer donors Your Funding Partners Your Fund Development Goals and Outcomes Fund Development Strategies Fund Development Plan and Calendar Evaluating your Efforts Maintaining Donor Support Future Funding Planning and Purpose Organizational planning is a critical process that defines a nonprofit s overall direction, activities, and strategies to be employed to fulfill its mission. Planning should unite the Board and staff members in a common goal and define the organization s purpose to the general public. Basics of Nonprofit Strategy Nonprofit Strategic Planning Networking & Partnerships Success Factors for Strategic Planning Environmental Scans Nonprofit Mission Statements Nonprofit Budgets and Strategic Planning Strategic Choice